Nobleman, one with the Queen previously (7)
I believe the answer is:
earlier
'previously' is the definition.
('earlier' can be a synonym of 'previously')
'nobleman one with the queen' is the wordplay.
'nobleman' becomes 'earl' (earl is a kind of nobleman).
'one with' becomes 'i' (I've seen this in other clues).
'the queen' becomes 'er' (Elizabeth Regina).
'earl'+'i'+'er'='EARLIER'
(Other definitions for earlier that I've seen before include "in the past" , "Former" , "(Happening) before in time" , "Formerly" , "Older" .)